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A Labour attempt to block the draft legislation was also defeated by 318 votes to 296, majority 22.

It overturns the 1972 European Communities Act and will convert all existing EU laws into UK law, to ensure there are no gaps in legislation on Brexit day.

But critics fear ministers giving themselves the power to make changes to laws during this process without consulting MPs.

And the government looks set to face a far stiffer test as the legislation moves on to a more detailed examination in committee stage.

MPs from all sides of the house, including many Conservatives - and all of the SNP - were queueing after the vote to put down amendments that would substantially alter the historic legislation.

Dominic Grieve, a former Conservative attorney-general who called the bill an “astonishing monstrosity” .

He added he could vote against the legislation at third reading if it has not been substantially amended by then.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the bill was a "naked power grab" and added that the Government victory "is a deeply disappointing result".

He said: "Labour will seek to amend and remove the worst aspects from the bill but the flaws are so fundamental it's hard to see how this could ever be made fit for purpose."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the legislation "threatens the very principle on which our parliament is founded" which is the idea that "everything is automatically devolved unless it is reserved".

Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: "This is a dark day for the mother of parliaments."

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But Scotland Office minister Lord Duncan said: "The Scottish Parliament will not lose a single one of its current decision-making powers through this bill. Indeed, it is will gain significant new powers as a result of the UK's exit from the EU."

Brexit minister Mike Russell is to give a statement to MSPs in Holyrood later today.